The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen tonight told a US audience that Ireland could now send out a positive message to other parts of the world where peace processes were in difficulty.
He said following last week's IRA disarmament move, the Irish had shown that "peace can happen, that politics can work, that mind-sets, as well as guns, can be decommissioned and that the enemies of peace must not be allowed to succeed - or to veto the process."
Mr Cowen was speaking to the United States' National Committee on American Foreign Policy in New York.
He declared: "In recent days we have been fortunate to witness genuinely historic steps being taken which, we believe, should allow the Good Friday agreement to fully achieve its exceptional promise.
"It has taken considerable courage and leadership on all sides to bring us this far.
"It is now important that other paramilitary organisations follow the IRA in putting their weapons beyond use. There is simply no place for violence in a democracy. The people do not want it. The governments will not stand for it.
"The world is a changed place. You are for peace, or you are against the people."
Mr Cowen also again appealed to Sinn Féin to join the new policing board of Northern Ireland. With the first of the recruits to the service to begin training this weekend, he called on the party to play a full part in the changed policing arrangements.
The name of the RUC will be replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland from Sunday onwards, but Sinn Féin are refusing to sign up to the new arrangements because they claim the reforms do not go far enough.
However, they are under increasing pressure in London, Dublin and Washington to take their three places on the board which represents all parties in Northern Ireland.
Mr Cowen said: "All parts of the community should be fully involved and enable to play their full part.
"I strongly welcome the presence of Nationalists and Unionists on the Policing Board. But I would like to see Sinn Féin taking up their responsibilities and giving voice to the concerns and interests of the communities they represent.
"They have shown leadership in other areas. I hope that in time they will come on board for the new beginning to policing."
Mr Cowen repeated Dublin's welcome for the re-appointment of Ulster Unionist Party ministers to the Northern Ireland executive - and leader David Trimble's decision to seek re-election as First Minister.
He also congratulated Mr Trimble on securing "the very strong endorsement of his party's executive" for his moves last weekend.
The Irish minister added the assurance: "Wherever and whenever Ireland can lend a hand in conflict resolution, and can help to make a difference, we will not be found wanting."
PA